St. Mary the Virgin, stands close to Weeting Castle, and is one of 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. Another church, All Saints stood 500M south of St.Mary's, but was destroyed by the fall of its tower in C.1700. The site is still visible today, with various grave markers lining a fence on the south side of the old churchyard, and a high mound marks the location of the church foundations, during dry spells, the crop mark outline of All Saints can be clearly seen, and some flint remains of the tower, south aisle wall, and east wall are just breaking the surface.
The traditional looking round tower was erected during the Victorian restoration of the church. Prior to this the bells were accomodated in a wooden belfry tower.
The majority of the church, is of flint, and as it stands next to a Saxon hall site, it is possible that it may have begun as a manorial chapel in the Middle or Late Saxon period. However there is no indication that any work from this period survives, and the earliest feature is some vertical stone in the chancel north wall which dates to the 11th or 12th century. The north aisle and chancel date to the Decorated period, and there are three Perpendicular three-light south windows in the nave, which has a crown-post roof of 1868.
The present west chancel and nave northeast quoins date to before 1300, but not otherwise dateable. North aisle arcade early 13th century. Chancel extended around 1340. Nave rebuilt 15th century, aisle and chancel altered in same period. A tower probably collapsed 16th/17th century and nave west wall rebuilt in reused stone. Church restored late 19th century when new round tower added.
The graveyard of St Mary’s church is open at all times, although the church itself is sadly kept locked due to historical vandalism and thefts. There is car parking available to the front of the church, in an area which also serves Weeting Castle.
The published coordinates will take you to the front of the church. There you need to do a small bit of maths to get the coordinates for the final, which is a short stroll further along the lane past the church (The final is not within the church grounds).
Look for the Rector’s phone number: 01842 ABCDEF
Final: N52° B A. E (B+E) E
E000° E (A-B). C (A-E) E²
There is a small gift for the claimant of the FTF (made by my four-year-old daughter).
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